EURO/GBP - 1.1379

The UK currency was poised for further falls due to concerns about UK economic growth and uncertainty over the timing of an interest rate hike by the Bank of England. Poor retail sales figures also saw sterling extend losses that began with UK growth forecasts being cut by Chancellor George Osborne in last week's Budget. At the beginning of last week, markets had been pricing in a rate hike of 0.25% as early as May, but following the growth downgrade and Bank of England minutes that showed a reluctance to hike rates, this expectation has been pushed back to August. Out this week, we have mortgage lending figures, final GDP figures for the 4th quarter and house price data towards the end of the week.

In the euro zone, the euro lost ground this morning as German Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party lost a key regional election. Last week's European Summit didn't throw up any surprises and there seems to now be some certainty with regards to the European stability fund. Portugal may be the next in line for a bailout so the markets will be keeping a close eye on things. ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet speaks later today, and with an interest rate hike due in April we could see some volatility.

In the USA, GDP figures were revised upwards on Friday showing that the economy grew by 3.1% in the 4th quarter of last year, up from the previous estimate of 2.8%. The key releases today could have quite a significant impact - personal spending was poor in January and pending home sales are expected to show a steep rebound following poor figures in January.

Elsewhere, as market panic subsides after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, Japanese yen volatility is falling too. The Japanese yen/ Australian dollar "carry trade" (i.e. borrowing cheap yen to fund investments in the higher yielding Australian dollar) picked up again last week as investors returned to more trading patterns. Progress on the nuclear reactor helped in this respect also. Libya is still a big issue also, so make sure you are protected by speaking to one of the team sooner rather than later.

Smart Currency Exchange is a currency partner to Harpers Wine and Spirit. Harpers Wine and Spirit has teamed up with Smart to provide readers with a free bespoke currency service.

If you are making or receiving international payments and are interested in talking to Smart please go to: www.SmartWineSpirits.com to get a FREE no obligation quote or to download the Smart Wine and Spirit report. Alternatively call Smart on 0207 898 0500.